Amino Acids, Peptides and Lipids derivatives as Hormones

Compare and contrast the three major categories of hormones which are 1) Amino Acid derivatives 2) Peptide hormones 3) lipid derivatives,--providing an example of their function in each category.

Solution Preview

Hi,
Hope this helps you.
Thank you for using BrainMass.

Based on their structure, the hormones are classified as amino acid derivatives, peptide hormones and steroids or lipid derivatives. The structure determines how it is made, how it is transported and how it interacts with the receptors on the cells (California State University Los Angeles (CSULA), n.d.).

The amino acid derivatives are hormones that come from the amino acid tyrosine. Among them are hormones secreted in the adrenal medulla (epinephrine or adrenaline and norepinephrine or noradrenaline) and those secreted in the thyroid (triiodothyronine and thyroxine) (CSULA, n.d.). Epinephrine, produced in the adrenal medulla is store in granules in the cytoplasm until needed (Farajee, 2001). Stimulation of the adrenal medulla under stress releases the hormone initiating the "flight or flight" response (Tulane University, n.d.).
The amino acid derivatives and peptide hormones are water soluble which allows them to travel easily in the body (Farajee, 2001). Because they are water soluble, these hormones cannot enter the cell without binding to protein receptors on the outside surface of the cell (Tulane University, n.d.). This binding generates a ...

Solution Summary

The solution involves a description of three groups of hormones according to their structures-aminoacids, peptides and lipids derivatives- and how the structure influence the way they are stored and how they travel in the body. Examples in each category are given.